Morne Morkel has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy and will be replaced in the South Africa squad by Chris Morris. “The ICC has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 has approved Chris Morris as a replacement player for Morne Morkel in the South Africa squad for the tournament,” a release from the ICC said.
Morkel injured his left quad in the opening match of the tournament against India here on Thursday and limped out leaving his seventh over incomplete. The fast bowler was taken for an MRI scan after the match when the extent of the injury would have become apparent.
South Africa is also sweating on the fitness of Dale Steyn, who suffered a side strain ahead of the competition and did not feature against India. Morris makes the squad on the back of a fine IPL season, when he took 15 wickets for Chennai Super Kings in 16 matches.
South Africa's next match is against Pakistan in Birmingham on Monday.
